So we started at Onseepkans, do you know that place? (dialup beware)

[michnus]

From the onset, this was going to be a trip like no other. For one it's going to be the woman's first proper, challenge yourself-type trip, and to add some fun to the trip Metaljockey's 4year old daughter accompanied us. We could not do this trip without her, she loves riding bike, and this was good fun for her.

Metaljockey had the planning sorted and because they previously did this trail with their vehicle, had a better knowledge of the area.  It aided the planning around stops and sleepovers, accommodating the needs of the ever-playful Miss MJ.  


The plan was to start at Pofadder and ride our way quite leisurely towards the Richtersveld and then towards Port Nolloth.  Off road all the way, even trying to skip the bigger dirt roads. We booked into a B&B in Augrabies called The Fox's lair, a wonderful place with very friendly people, who even allowed us to leave the Combi and trailer there for the week under a huge carport.

When did Namibia get independence? 20 What! Years ago?   And this board still shows Suid Wes Afrika?! Some things never change.









Somewhere-Els and myself loaded the bikes and rode of towards Onseepkans from Augrabies the next morning, while MJ went the tar way to Onseepkans to leave their bus there. We were met by a friendly KLR riding farmer who just told MJ, No problem leave your bus here on the farm, it will be save?

It took some time to get them kitted up and to make sure missMJ is comfortable and save. We just can't wait to get on our way for some serious fun. As we leave Onseepkans, I stop next to MJ and I quote:  Don't worry I will look after the girls, you can get use to riding sitting down with MissMJ   Those words would still come back to haunt me!






Just outside Pofadder we turned of onto the Namakwa 4x4 trail that runs along the Orange River to Vioolsdrift and then into the Richterveld.

It's a little evil piece of dirt track, no warning and sand, sand, and sand!!! Two spoor track and with the holiday makers and all the big 4x4â??s creating new tracks and worsening the old ones for us. This is not sea sand, or dune sand, this is proper river bed sand.

If you have never ridden in a riverbed with river sand, it's difficult to describe. It's a very course sand with virtually no grip or resistance to help with steering or cornering. The sand grabs your wheel and forces it into a direction, while the back wheel just spins up and you have to keep the bike floating at high speed, and when you tap off, you snake like hell until you donner neer like a slaughtered ox!

Add to that sharp 90-degree corners, bushes in your track, round riverbed rocks, and it all adds to the excitement and white-eye ball look.  

Everybody got a quick wake up call, like getting a bucket of cold water in your face you did not expected.
The first riverbed and the struggle starts, the DRZ did the best of the lot, it's the best thing since sliced toast. Mrs MJ struggled the first 2 days just getting the nerves calmed down and adjusting to the bike and sand, after that she was riding that DRZ like Satan was on her ass chasing it to hell.  












Some more riverbeds and more assistance, slowly the girls adjust to the idea of full throttle, look up, and stay on the pegs. We were sweating and heaving like unfit scrum forwards. It was not going any better for me, as I was riding at the back picking up bikes. Stopping the 1200 in sand and getting it to float is a kind of scary dance all of it's own.







As we enter Klein Pella the afternoon MrsMJ got a puncture on the DRZ 500m before the camp, we were already bloody hot and it was late.  Some beers were consumed while fixing the puncture. This bloody piece of shit puncture came back to trouble us with more problems over the next 2 days!!







Klein Pella is a welcoming oasis in this arid landscape, wonderful affordable aircon bungalows, and lots of cold beers in an honesty bar. We paid R200 per bungalow, and the food was great. Camping facilities were available, but at that stage we though it better to splash out than camp, not even one debate came up. The heat must be unbearable when you build an additional roof to escape the heat!








As for MJ, he suddenly had his work cut out for him. MrsMJ made it clear he will not drop his bike!! He had to use all his hard earned sand riding skills, and, it took him a while to get used to the sitting down all the time. They got a special harness from the USA specifically for children that want to enjoy riding with mom or dad.  It gets attached around your waist, the child sits in a harness that holds them upright in case they fall asleep or have no footing on the pegs. Quite an ingenious contraption.
 
We never really saw MJ, he was riding in the front finding the track, because Tracks4Africa and the actual route was sometimes a bit off, nothing serious, just a couple of u-turns every now and then.

The next morning while the MJ family was busy loading Somewhere-Els and Myself rode down to the date plantation, situated right along the banks of the Orange River. It was absolutely beautiful seeing those old date trees. The contrast between the dry mountain background and this luscious green piece of earth is difficult to explain.

The Nile must look and feel like this. Add to the dry hot air and itâ??s easy to imagine yourself a couple of thousand miles away.  








This route snakes through most of the dry river beds along the Orange river and for obvious reasons, it's actually easier and faster for 4x4â??s here.  Bikes, more difficult and demanding, but for sure the most fun!!

If you ever want a migraine early in the morning, go ride a stretch of sand like this just after a hearty breakfast, it's scary as hell, but the fun factor is off the chart.  The best way to start is to never ease into a ride, it makes you lazy, start with the wake up juice!!












We frequently stop to rest and give MissMJ a chance to explore her surroundings.  She just loved it, not once did she moan or bitch, we could not believe that she actually adapted to the ride that easily. We planned to adjust to her level of energy and ride according to her willingness. She made it easy for us all, she even fell asleep on the back of the bike letting MJ work his ass off keeping the bike in the sandy tracks.

Getting her back on the bike while she's playing turned into a game itself.


 





I just wanna ride man, riiiide, riiiide!!!! (Wild Hogs)  





...................

[Plothond]

Mooi man !!!!

Having kids on the back is another type of challenge
I like !!!

[>Herman<]

Nice report M & co. One of the better reports in recent times - no offence to those who posted. 

[funacide]

Lekker Michnus

Post some more already.... PLEASE!!!

[serf]

I grew up in that area. 

You can be glad you were not there during December - it reaches 50 degrees in those mountains   

Nice report

[Colyn]

Great report ... thanks for sharing.

[Ama ride ride]

 

Great pics and write up. Just finish it man....

Having met little MissMJ,  I will not be surprised if she kicks dust in your eyes soon on a PW50 (or similar)

Rode part of the route some years ago with my AT. Respect to the ladies. Respect...

[SGB]

Taking the family always makes for a great trip!  The rewards outweigh the challenges and you guys did a great job!  Keep it coming. 

[edgy]

Awesome stuff,as usual...keep it coming!

[Kykdaar]

Great report so far..........looking forward to the rest.

[GG]

Man you guys are mad!  I hate riverbeds...but with a kid!  Groot balle ..respect

[Trailrider]

Good report. Keep it coming.

[Briekmerk]

Wow that's big sand monsters!

[Lourens ツ]

Beautiful pics and great report.   This one just tells a story. Two tired riders in the middle of nowhere taking a break after some serious action.

[Operator]

Two things stands out for me.......

That little daughter of MJ is a COOL passenger.

and that sand !
That Sand looks very intimidating.

Cool ride, cool report Michnus and MJ

[KTM BIGGER]

lekker report as normal.

[luislang]

Cool report ,i like Miss MJ`s ATTGAT 

[Doringboom]

Julle mag maar!! Daai sand en klippe is nie enigeen se maat nie. Baie mooi

[Madala]

Respect. I'm in awe! :

[ROOI]

Yes Yes Yes ,did this route 4x4 trail on our wes coast orange river trip last august but it looks so much better seeing your pics